23. 03

MEDIA | Early concept of new Waikato racing centre revealed

Early plans for a new 164ha base for the Waikato’s horse racing industry have been revealed, which will include space for harness racing, a retirement village, a small commercial precinct and a residential lifestyle block.

Please note, these images are being updated as the project evolves. For latest images please go here.

A community information day was held at the Tamahere Community Hall on Sunday where locals and other interested parties got to see early versions of the master plan for Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s (WTR) new racing and events centre to the south of Hamilton.

WTR’s Greenfields Project director Steve Bramley said as the development evolves the group wants to make sure they keep the community involved and updated at every step along the way.

He said WTR would apply for fast-track consenting next month as the group looks at an eight to 10-year timeframe for completion of the project by the mid-2030s.

A modern architectural design featuring multiple buildings with illuminated interiors along a pathway next to a reflective water body, surrounded by trees and people walking, biking, and socializing during sunset.
The proposed entrance to Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s horse racing and events centre in Tamahere.

The 164ha site in Tamahere is bordered by State Highway 1 (Waikato Expressway), and Hooker, Pencarrow, and Duncan roads.

The move would also see about 50ha of prime central Hamilton land – the site of the current Te Rapa Racecourse – be sold to help fund the new development.

Bramley said the catalyst for the amalgamation of the region’s horse racing venues, and the development of the Greenfield Project, was the industry-led master plan for New Zealand’s equine racing infrastructure – Project Stamina.

He said while there may be potential to accelerate delivery, “there’s a lot of moving parts” and more would be revealed at the fast-track consenting stage.

A modern building with a large patio and people gathered outside, framed by greenery and a blue sky with clouds. Classic cars are parked in the foreground.
An artist’s impression of what the new event’s centre entrance could look like.

The site is intended to become both a metropolitan racing and events venue, and a major training centre, building on the Waikato’s existing prominence in the industry.

“We are the home and the heart of the racing industry in New Zealand … two-thirds of the horses in New Zealand are based in the region.”

Bramley said the project will take on longstanding infrastructure challenges, saying “we just haven’t done the necessary level of infrastructure upgrades for an extended period of time”.

He said indicative master plans have been shared with the community, and a neighbours’ liaison group has also been established to provide “real-time feedback”.

A masterplan layout depicting various features of a horse racing and training facility, including main tracks, training tracks, and different entry points. It also highlights areas for events, parking, and commercial development, alongside landscaping elements like wetlands and trees.
Plans to build a small commercial centre, a residential lifestyle block, and a retirement village are at the south east and western sides of the site.

Key concerns raised include “boundaries and traffic”, with Bramley saying effective management of these issues will rely on “really effective dialogue”.

In late 2023, the Waikato, Cambridge, and Waipa racing clubs merged to form a single entity operating three venues.

Bramley said future planning includes rationalising thoroughbred racing across those sites while considering new opportunities at Greenfields.

He said the long-term vision includes more coordinated scheduling between Waikato and Auckland, with race meetings alternating between regions to improve efficiency and reduce travel for participants.

The development is expected to deliver both racing and training facilities, building on Cambridge’s status as “one of the largest … training centres in Australasia”.

Bramley said the goal is to create “sustainable, quality racing” supported by modern infrastructure, and ongoing site investigations and planning work were helping to refine the project’s costs and scope.

“Can we do it a little bit quicker? Maybe. But there’s a lot of moving parts, and I’ve developed a large number of projects, so I think I can safely say mid-2030s is logical at this time.

“It’s getting clearer by the month on where the numbers are potentially going to land.

“Like all these things, it’s providing a quality outcome, but doing it in a smart way.”

Article c/o The Waikato Times, written by Matthew Martin